It has been produced by Rebel Virals, the joint venture between Aspect Film and integrated agency Mason Zimbler, to promote the agency on the back of the current climate of anti-application angst.
It's pretty funny and, with a cast of not quite thousands but quite a few, it works its way through Facebook's long list of ills.
It begins with the line: "Facebook is a crime when people have too much time; Sending me requests, IQ and Brain Tests; It's no fucking joke; I don't like to Super Poke".
The anti-Facebook anthem goes on to work its way creatively through the zillions of applications to the endless quizzes and tests that applications are received for.
It follows the report last week that Facebook suffered a decline in unique users in the UK for the first time since July 2006, falling 5% to 8.5m users in January, although the social networking site remains the most popular in the UK according to Nielsen.
I blogged on this last week and the post attracted, as you would expect, quite a few comments. What I picked up on then as did a number of people commenting was that specialist social networking sites are the future, or part of it along with generic sites with Facebook.
That said, Facebook isn't going anywhere and as someone else put it last week while many have shut their accounts most will keep them going, but visit less frequently.
This Rebel Virals-produced piece simply further articulates how we're all quickly falling out of love with this particular side of social networking and moving on.
Of course, it is fair to point out again that Facebook denies experiencing a drop in their unique users and said it has seen a rise in active users month on month and currently claims 8.3m active users in the UK up by around 600,000 on the 7.7m users recorded in December.
This particular creation was the work of David Sloly and David Watson at Rebel Virals.
Is anyone still using Facebook?
Yes, but much less than before. I think that's true for everyone.
I found Damien's comment interesting, as I'm not on Facebook because I have just never seen the point, what are the 'gems' you speak of? It just seems all crap to me, a 'me too' social networking platform that's now just gone into overdrive with add-on nonsense! It sucks people in too, that's the worrying thing. People will poke each other and send virtual gifts because it's novel - so they think why not? It's a slippery slope into madness
I've got a mobile phone and msn messenger so I can speak to my actual friends - call me old-school - but that's how I like it!
The Facebook machine is seeminlgly unstoppable - I keep getting requests from friends to accept their new Facebook business applications now - I've had everything from one for cheap flights to one for a hairdressers of all things. Can't stand the intrusiveness - best way to destroy a brand is to shove it right in people's faces. They need to be visible and prominent to be successful, but not as visible of statues of Stalin in Stalingrad or portraits of Madonna with Child in Rome - that just ceates brand weariness.
Louise, in answer to your question, I'd nominate the fabulous Scrabulous which I mentioned in my original post. It's a great idea, playing scrabble with mates over the course of a few days. Entertaining, fun and competitive. And a great way to break up a busy day taking twenty minutes out every now and then to think about your next move.
I's also suggest the Red Bull Rock, Paper, Scissors game. Again good fun, playing remotely with a friend. I loved the Bob Dylan video from last year too - where you could insert your own message in the classic 'Subterranean Homesick Blues' video. Great.
And I enjoy the occasional quiz - The Simpsons, Curb your Enthusiasm etc. Again an amusing diversion for a few minutes.
Yes, most of it is crap. But steer clear of the crap (which usually looks like crap when it comes through) and you'll be fine.
As for the staying in touch aspect, I agree. I, too, talk to and email my close friends, but there are lots of people I'm happy to 'stay in touch with' on a less formal level and Facebook provides that option very well.
I'm not sure why everyone seems to get so upset about it all. Take what you want, leave what you don't. People can easily stay off the slippery slope you speak of by taking some responsibility for their own actions!
You don't have to poke people back, or bite them and turn them into a Zombie, or throw pies at them all the time. Just ignore it. And engage with the stuff you find amusing.
Facebook business applications? Not had any of those, but sound advice from DP. Take the best and leave the rest.
www.youtube.com/watch
Actually, 4,199,365 views on the original video, not a few hundred!
But, it has been on there for 4 months.
"go figure"
I think the people who keep posting this to their "Super-duper-uber-fun-fun-superpoking-wall" are missing the point somewhat. Irony in action :)
Just about sums up the general mood regarding Facebook!
I don't think people are getting fed-up of Facebook at all. It's lost the initial buzz yes, and usage has cut back because of it but it's still a useful tool and the best example of a social network on the internet. Largely the people that don't like it are the ones that haven't learnt how to block apps and other bits they don't like.
agree with Damien, there are people who you want to be loosly in touch with but not nessesarily have a conversation with or even have their number. Plus it's good for spying.
I onlyl use facebook for photos now. Seems like all my friends still post their drunken antics on a Monday morning. Once you have found all your friends you need to have a reason to stay on social networking sites unless they offer you something else...
I'm developing a sports SN with 24/7 live news stories and fantasy games. Only early stages of BETA but would be good to know what people think?
www.champions365.com
I just can't understand how Twitter turned down half a billion dollars from Facebook to take them over....argh. Somebody is going to kick themselves later when both Twitter and Facebook lose their initial sheen.
As you mention, they'll both be around, but the thrill will be gone. Along with the overinflated values.
Looks like Facebook is loosing it's following.
Gordon Macmillan
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